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Sept. 3, 1929. w. A. ECKERT 1,726,811

SIGNAL CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed Dec. 9, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 'lllllllllflllll aqq. 0' 1 l p 1929- w. A. ECKERT 1,726,811

SIGNAL CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed Dec. 9, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I, 5 62 60 5g 1;; I

- Z1 02" neg) Sept. 3, 1929. w. A. ECKERT 1,726,811

SIGNAL CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed Dec. 9, 1926 s SheetsSheet 5 Patented Sept. 3, 1929.

PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM A. ECK-EET, DEV-BUFFALO, NIEWIYYOIRK.

sIGNAL COiiTaO LI NG MECHANISM r03 AUC PQMQBILESI Application filed December 9, 1926. Serial no. saess. I

This invention relates to a: signal mechanism for automobiles which is adaptedto be mounted on the post and column of the steering mechanism and so organized that switches may be closed for lighting'l'amps in dicating an intention to turn either-to the left or to the right, and to automatieally open the respective switch which has been ,closed so as to extinguish 'the' lamps associated therewith when the turn 9f h e vh ic le in a particular direction has'been completed.',"-"

One of theiobjects of thisinventionji s to provide asignal mechanism of this character which will enable the "driver "after having closed a switch and lighted lamps indicating an intention to turn in a certain direction totinn a limited extentiii said direction and back to straightaway position ithout opening the switch and extinguishing the lamps beforeactuallytmaking the complete wi and e e: c mn is i g fQ fll fii iIq in the steering mechanism ofthegcar. 'Another object of this 'invention i's'tofprovide an improvedswitch for a signal mechanism of this character, which willfbe yi el'dingly and reliably either in its'clogsed or i p i p ef I an wl i f' ft r' pb moved past a dead 'cent'erin either direction will quickly complete jt he movement under spring pressure. i J I 1 Further ob'ec'ts of this inventio'nhare'to simplify the'construction, reduce the cost of manufacture, andprevent improper manipulation of the signal so as to ensure giving the signal intended.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 isa fragmentary side elevation of the post, column and wheel of an automobile steering mechanism equipped with my 1mproved signal, mechanism. Figure 2 is .a front view of the same, partly in section, the sectional part being taken on line 2-2, Fig. 1, looking rearwardly. Figure 3 is a longitudinal section taken on line 33 Fig. 1, looking forwardly. Figure 4 is a sect-ion view taken on line -'l--4, Fig. 3, showing the parts in the normal or neutral position. Figure 5 is a cross section taken on line 55, Fig. 3, looking upwardly. Figure 6 is a view similar to Fig. i showing the outerlocking rail in addltion to the tumblers of the signal mechanism. Figure Tis a similar view showing the outer locking rail and the tumblers in a set'posrtion. Figure 8 is a fragmentary longitudinal positiom'on'an enlarged scale, taken on line 88 Fig.7. i Figure-9 isa view 'similar to F 4, but showing restoring th e tumbler in the position in-which it has shifted the trip lug into -position 'for"subs'equently opening the lamp switch. Figure 10-is a fragmentary lol'lgitudinall section, on an -enlar ge'd scale, taken on line 10j'10 F-ig.'"9." Figu're'll is'a view similar to' Fig. 9 showing the 1 position of the tumblers and tjhc trip lever during-the first part'ofth'e return movement of the steerng wheelto its strai htaway position. Figare 12 isa fragmentary'long'itudinal section, on an enlarge'd sca'le; taken "on'line '12-12, Fig. 11'. Figure -lfiis ajview'similar to Fig. ll showing the'triplever-iestored by the restoring tumblerto [its normal position upon turning the-steering wheel while the switch has been shiftedinto an open-position. Figure 14 is a fragmentary longitudinalsection, on an enlarged scale; taken='on=line-1414 Fig. 133-" Figu'ref15 isa cross section similar to- Fig. 5' but showing a'iiother' relative 'position of the parts: Figure 16 is a fragmentary longitudinal "section," on an enlarged K scale, taken online 16 '16"Fig.' 52- Figure 17 is a view' 'similar to Figi'f 16 ishowing a: different relative-position of thepartsi' Figure 18 is a longitudinal section'taken on line 18 18 Fig. 16. Figure 19 is a' lon'g'itudinal section taken on line 19-19-Fig. Figure-2O is a front view of the ste'zering dilumnfPost-and wheel and the controlling" mechanism "mounted thereon, and parts thereof being broken away to show the internal structure. Figure 21 is aperspective view of a' supporting plate forming part of one of the switches. Figure 22 is'a similar view of the movable contact of one of the switches. Figure 23 is a similar view of the detent ofone of the switches. Similar characters o'f-freference indicate like parts in the several figtires of the drawmgs Although my improved signal mechanism may be installed on any available relatively movableparts of an automobile steering gear the same in the present instance is shown in connection with a steering post/ which is rotatably mounted on a. stationary tubular column 31 and provided at its upper end with ahandwheel32. V

The mechanism for controlling the signal is mounted on the upper pa-rts'of the steering column and the hub 33 of the hand wheel which turns with the steering post. As an example of a signal suitable for use in connection witlrthis controlling mechanism that shown in Fig. comprises two electric lamps 34-, 35 adapted to be mounted on the left and righthand sides of the front part of the car, two lamps 36, 37 adapted tobe mounted on the left and right sides of the rear part of the car, the left sidelamps beingconnectedwhich is grounded on-the car and isadapte-d to be engaged with anddisengaged from the companion stationary contact. Each. of the movablecontacts 40 is preferably constructed in the form. of a rock arinwhichhasa hub 42 mounted onzarockgshaft 43 so as to be compelledto turn withthis shaft, for which purpose the hub 42 hasa-square hole 44 and fits on a corresponding shaftpart 45. of. the switch shaft 43,. as showrr in r Figs '18 and. 19. Each fixedicontact 39is preferablyconstructed inthe form-.of a spring finger, one endof which is secured to a metal supporting plate 46 while its opposite end projects; through an opening 47 formed partly in thissnpporting plate=and partly-irran insulating plate 48 to whiclrthe supporting plate and fixed contact are'secured so that the freev end ofth'e con tact spring is inthe path of. the movable contact. Upon turning the switch shaft in. one direction the movablecontact engages the fixed contact, as-shownin Fig. 19, and closes the electric circuit containing one series of lamps for lighting the latter, and upon turning this shaft in the opposite direction the movable contact will be disengaged'from the fixed contact, as shown in Fig. 18, thereby breaking the circuit of the respective series of lamps and extinguishing the same. Each of the-supporting plates 46 preferably has that end of a circuit wire, opposite. to the battery, secured thereto by a binding-screw 50, thereby permitting of conveniently connecting up the wiring of the signal system. The two switch shafts are arranged in a radial position relatively to the steering post and column and on substantially diametrically opposite sides of the latter. and each shaft is journaled in inner and outer bearings 51, 52 mounted in a block 53 which is secured to a supporting casing, or body 54 having preferably the form of a split collar the sections of which are clamped against opposite sides of the column by screws "55. The shafts may be turned manually by any suitable means, for example, by means of handles or finger pieces 56 secured to the outer ends of the same as shown in Figs. 3, 5, 15, 16, 17 and 20.

Snapping means are-provided which embody my invention whereby each switch shaft is yieldingly held in one'elxtreme or the other of its rockingniovement and also assist in effecting the last part of the rocking movement of the .swtich shaft ineither direction, thereby ensuring proper opening and closing j of the switches. Each of these snappmg means comprises a tension dog 57; having. acam rounded face 58 engaging a correspondingly cam. or rounded face 59-on the opposing side of therock arm 40 and provide'dwith. aytubularhub GO-which slides lengthwise .on theswit'ch shaft and held against turningbya longitudinal guideway 61 which receives the outer. end of the dog 57 and is formed jon the adjacent part of the bearing ZSQ, as shown in Figs.;16 and 17. Thc dog, is yieldingly. pressed against the contact arm 40 by a helical'spring 62 surrounding the switch. shaft and engaging with one end against the bottom of'a pocket;63 in the hearing 52 and withitsother. end against the outer side of thehub" of. the tensiondog. When the switclishaft ist'urned into an extreme position in whichthe'swi-tch is open, as shown in Figs, 16 and 1,8, the contact arm 40,is out of engage ent from. the contact spring 39 and,tl 1e.tension dog bearson one side ofthe highest part one rounded face 58 against-one side of.-'the.higl est1 )art of the rounded face 59 of. the contact arm 40, thereby exerting a,-wedgi nglor.can i action onthe contact arm'lwhich operates to yieldingly hold the switchin its open position. Upon turning the switch shaft forwardly) orfirr the ,direction for closing, the switch cam or rounded face 59 of the switch arm by its-cam or wedge action on the tension dog causes the latter to be forced longitudinally outward against the resistance of the spring 62 until the highest part of the cam face of the contact arm has passed the dead center or highest. part of this cam face 58 on the tension. arm. after which the resilience of this spring assists in completing the throw of the switch shaft and effecting a. quick closing of the switch, as shown in Figs. 17 and 19, by those parts of the cam face on the tension dog act ing on those parts of the cam face of the contact arm onthc opposite side of its salient. The switch is now yieldingly heldin its closed position until the switch shaft is again turned in the opposite direction when the operation is reversed in the manner just described.

By these means of operating the switches the same are shifted easily, promptly and certainly and reliably held in either an open or in a closed position.

The mechanism for controlling the operawith two locking rocking rails 67,- 68 which are arranged concentrically above the inner ends of the shafts. The inner one 67 of these locking rails forms 'part of'themechanism which controls 'the righthand switch and is provided with a'downwardly opening releasinggap or notcht39, while the outer rail 68 forms part ofthe mechanism which .eontrols thele'ft hand'switch and is provided with a downwardly opening releasing gap or notch 70, as shown in F-igs. 5', 6,7 and'15. Each of the switch shafts isprovided on-its inner end with three tumblers; which are arranged-in different ppsitions around the respective switch sha and perform different functions 'depending' on the position into which the several, tumblers are turned with this shaft. These tumblers comprise a locking tumbler 71, a restoring tumbler 572, and a clearing tumbler 73. The locking tumbler of the left hand switch shaft is arranged below the outer locking rail 68 l and 'adapted toco-operate therewith and the locking tumbler of the right shaft is arranged below the inner locking rail '67'and adaptedto co-operate therewith. On

diametrically opposite sides of the rotary carrier the same is provided with tripping devices between the inner and-outer locking rails and as the construction of the same and their co-operation with the restoring and clearing tumblers of the res'pectivey-switch shafts is alike,the' following description of ohefit'ripping device will apply to both: f

he numeral74 represents a restoring tappet which is adapted to engage the restoring tumbler of one of the switch shafts and turn the latter in the "direction for opening .the respective switch. Adjacent to one side of the restoring tappet is arranged a clearing cam '75 which is adapted to be engaged by the clearing tumbler 73 of the respective shaft for retracting the respective restoring tappet out of its operative positionafter the restoring tappet has performed its function 'of extinguishing the lamps. Thecompanion restoring tappet and clearing cam are arranged on a restoring lever 76 which is pivotallymounted on the carrier between the locking rails by a radial pin 77. The numeral 78 represents a setting lever which is pivotally mounted on the carrier between the rails by a radial pin 79 and providedon itsfront arm with a setting cam 80 which is adapted to be engaged by the respective restoring-tumbler 72 while the rear arm of thislever is connected with the restoring lever so that the same rock together, this last mentioned connection being preferably effected by a knuckle 81 on the rear arm of the setting lever engaging with a socket 82 in the front end of the respective restoring lever, as shown in Figs. 4, 9, 11 and 13. The restoring and setting levers are yieldingly held in one extreme or the other of their rocking movement by a tension device which preferably consists of a detent 83 guided in a way 84 on the carrier and provided with a rounded nose which engages with a rounded face on the front arm of the setting lever, and a spring 87 arranged in said guideway 84 and bearing with one end against the bottom of the same and with its opposite end against the back of said detent as shown in Figs. 9, 11 and 13. As the setting lever is rocked its rounded front end deflects the detent until the dead center between the highest opposing surfaces of those members have passed one another and then the-detent-operates to hold the setting'lever and associated parts yieldingly in this changed position.

For the purpose of limiting-the rocking'motion of the setting lever and restoring lever any suitable stop means may be employed, those shown in Fig. 4 being satisfactory and consisting of stop shoulders88, 89,formed on the heel of the restoring-lever'and adapted to engage with stop surfaces 90, 91 on the adjacent part of the rotary carrier.

.The operation of thisswitch controlling mechanism and proper sequence is as follows:

When; the steering mechanism is in its central or normal position the several parts of the controlling mechanism are in the position indicated in 3, 4, 5 and 6. As there shown, both switch shaftsare turned so that their tumblers are all in a neutral position. which permits the steering wheel to be turned in-either direction and the carto be steered accordingly without affecting the signal lamps. If now it is desired togive a signal that the driver intends to make a full turn to theleft then the left hand linger piece 56 is turned backwardly or toward the driver about one-quarter turn, whereby the respective locking tumbler is turned from the forwardly inclined position, shown in Fig. 6, to the rearwardly, inclined position, shown in Fig. 7. Turning of this locking tumbler is however only possible when the steering wheel is in its central position, at which time the respective notch 69 of the locking rail (37 is above this locking tumbler and, therefore provides the necessary clear -ance space in which this tumbler can turn.

At all other times this tumbler is locked against turning so that the signal lamps cannot be lighted excepting when the car is running straight forward or substantiall} so. This will be evident upon examining Fig. 7, which shows the locking tumbler incliiied backu-ardly and held in this position iii by engagement of the same with the adjacent edge surface of the outer locking rail 67 due to partial turning to the left of the engage with the corresponding locking-railshown in Figs.-4 and 6, thereby also retract ing the r'estoringtappet 74 and projecting in rear of the notch 69.

If the steering wheel has been turned only to a small extent toward the left after having set the left switch for indicating a proposed left turn it is still possible to-againstraighten out the steering mechanism without opening the left switch and extinguishing the left signal lamps, thereby enabling a driver to maneuver to some extent before i actually making the full turn as may be necessary at times in congested trafiic: W hen, however, he driver continues to turn the steering wheel for completing the turn after effecting the initial part of this turn then the setting cam of the setting lever engages with the salient part of the left restoring tumbler 72, which latter at this time stands in the path of this setting cam, whereby the front arm of the setting lever is raised and the rear arm thereof is depressed, as shown in Fig. 9, thereby lowering the 'restoring lever and carrying the restoring tappet 74 into line with the restoring tumbler- 72 and carrying the clearing cam 75 into line with the clearing tumbler 73, said restoring tappet and clearing cam at this time being arranged in rear of the restoring tumbler and clearing tumbler.

After the car has completed the turn to the left, straightening of the progress of the same is effected by reversing the movement of the steering wheel until the same 'again reaches its central or normal position. Dur

ing the first part of such return movement of the steering wheel the restoring tappet of the restoring lever engages the restoring tumbler which at this time stands in its path, as shown in Fig. 11, and turns this tumbler forwardly out of the path of the restoring tappet, as shown in Fig. 13. While turning the restoring tappet into this position the companion clearlng tumbler 73 is turned inunison therewith into a position in which its salient face stands immediately behind the clearing cam 75 of the restoring lever and in the path of said cam, as shown in Fig. 13.

When the restoring tappet thus turns the switch to be extinguished, whereby this direction signal is terminated. Upon subsequently turning the steering wheel to the left to a moderateextjent as frequently occurs whilerunning a carwithout making a pronounced turn in thatdirection, the first eifect isto bring the clearing cam of the restoring lever into engagement with the clearing tappet, as shown in; Fig. 13,- and upon continuing the turn of the steering wheel in. this direction the clearing tumbler will deflect the clearingQca'm outof'line with the clearingltumbler into the retracted position the-right hand sideithereof is the same as that just described with reference to the parts on the, left hand iside for maintaining the right lamps burning until a full right turn has been made and-.;the car has again straightened out, at; the completion of which the lights are againextinguished.

It-will now be evident that by the use of this signal controlling mechanism it is possi ble to light the lamps for signalling an in tended turn to the right or the left, that such light will be'maintained untilthe full turn hasa-been effected and-the car again straightenedout, and that apartial turn followed by possibilityiofgiving aconfusing signal and eliminating danger in traffic.

If the switch when being set by the driver is not thrownifully into its extreme closed position the subsequent turning of the steering wheeliwill coniplete this turning by engagement of the trailing end of the gap in the respective locking rail with the partially turned locking tumbler and thereby ensure closure of the signal lamp circuit. By engaging the clearing tumbler with the clearing cams on the restoring lever the latter are pushed to one side when not in use and there by avoids any clicking noise while the steering mechanism is used during the time that the signal lamps are out.

1 claim as my'invention 1. A signal mechanism for an automobile steering mechanism having a stationary column and a rotatable steering post, comprising a support adapted to be mounted on said column, a switch shaft jonrnaled on said support, locking, restoring and clearing tumblers arranged on said shaft and adapted to be turned thereby, a rotary carrier adapted to be mounted to turn with said steering post, a restoring lever pivoted on said carrier and having a restoring tappet adapted to engage said restoring tumbler, and a restoring cam adapted to engage said clearing tumbler, a setting lever pivoted on said carrier and coupled with said restoring lever and having a clearing cam adapted to engage with the restoring tumbler, and a curved-locking rail arranged on the carrier and provided with a locking face adapted to engage said locking tumbler and a gap through which said locking tumbler can be moved.

2. A signalmechanism for an automobile steering mechanism having a stationary column and a rotatable steering post, comprising a support adapted to be mounted on said column, a switch shaft journaled on said support, locking, restoring-,and clearing tumblers arranged onlsaid shaft and ada )ted to be turned thereby, a rotary carrieradapted to be mounted to turn with said steering post, a restoring lever pivoted on -said carrier and having a restoring tappet adapted to engage said restoring tumbler and a restoring cam adapted to engage said clearing tumbler, a setting lever pivoted on said carrier and coupled with said restoring lever and having a clearing cam adapted to engage with the restoring tumbler, a curved locking rail arranged on the carrier and rovided with a locking face adapted to engage said locking tumbler and a gap through which said locking tumbler can be moved, and stop means for limiting the rocking movement of said levers.

3. A signal mechanism for an automobile steering mechanism having a stationary col umn and a rotatable steering post, comprising a support adapted to be mounted on said col umn, a switch shaft journaled on said sup port, locking, restoring and clearing tumblers arranged on said shaft and adapted to be turned thereby, a rotary carrier adapted to be mounted to turn with said steering post, a re storing lever pivoted on said carrier and having a restoring tappet adapted to engage said restoring tumbler and a restoring cam adapted to engage said clearing tumbler, a setting lever pivoted on said carrier and coupled with said restoring lever and having a clearing cam adapted to engage withthe restoring tumbler, a curved locking rail arranged on the carrier and provided with a locking face adapted to engage said locking tumbler and a gap through which said locking tumbler can be moved, and stop means for limiting the rocking movement of said levers, consisting of shoulders arranged on the heel of the restoring lever and stop faces arranged on said carrier and adapted to be engaged by said shoulders.

4. A signal mechanism for an automobile steering mechanism having a stationary column and a rotatable steering) post, comprismg a support adapted to e mounted on said column, a switch shaft journaled on to engage said restoring tumbler and a restoring cam adapted to engage said clearing tumbler, a setting lever pivoted on said car rier and coupled with said restoring lever and having a clearing cam adapted to engage with the restoring tumbler, a curved locking rail arranged on the carrier and provided with a locking face adapted to engage said locking tumbler and a 'gap througlr which said locking tumbler can'be moved, andyieldingdetent means for holding said levers-in either extremes of their movement.

5. A signal mechanism for an automobile steering mechanism having a stationary column and a rotatable'steer'ing post, comprising a support adapted to be mounted on said column, a switch shaft journaled on said support, locking, restoring and clearing tumblers arranged on said shaft and adapted to be turned thereby, a rotary carrier adaptcd to be mounted to turn with said steering post, a restoring lever pivoted on said carrier and having a restoring tappet adapted to engage said restoring tumbler and a restoring cam adapted to engage said clearing tumbler, a setting lever pivoted on said carrier and coupled with said restoring lever and having a clearing cam adapted to engage with the restoring tumbler, a curved locking rail arranged on the carrier and provided with a locking face adapted to engage said locking tumbler and a gap through which said locking tumbler can be moved, and yielding detent means for holding said levers in either extremes of their movement, comprising a sliding detent guided on the carrier and having a cam engagement with said setting lever, and a spring interposed between said detent and said carrier.

6. A signal mechanim for an automobile steering mechanism comprising a rotary carrier adapted to be mounted on a rotary part of said steering mechanism, a support adapted to be mounted on a stationary part, a

switch member having a plurality of tumblers, locking means arranged on the carrier and adapted to engage one of said tumblers, and restoring means arranged on said carrier and adapted to engage another of said tumblers.

7. A signal mechanism for an automobile steering mechanism comprising a rotary carrier adapted to be mounted on a rotary part of said steering mechanism, a support adapted to be mounted on a stationary part, a switch member having a plurality of tumblers, locking means arranged on the carrier and adapt ed to engage one of said tumblers, restoring' means arrange on said carrier and iadaijted to engage-another of said tumblers,

clearin means mounted on said carrier .andadaptea'toengage sti'll another of said b1 er$- 1 8. A signal ,meohanismforan automobile steering lneclianism having a column and a steering;post, ieomprising 'a support mountedonsaid column, two-switch shafts jour- ,u'ale'd lo nlopposite sides of said support and each haying: =5 lock ng. .tfui b a restorim l nt bl ndja aring'f'tk m a Carrier E hic Qost'f' nfi .adaptfid q QQP mt it the logkm'g' tap et of one or said shafts and the .9.

t twining: a wak n 11 and. a g p on Th 't' f the" ost'and'ada'pted to -QPQ a e w th t e ten the eitewliw i tir devices ar 011 the carrier between the rails thereof and on opposite sides of the post andeach trip device comprising a restoring member movable toward and from one set of locking, restoring and clearing tumblers and having a restoring tappet adapted to turn the respective restoring tumbler and a restoring cam adapted to engage with the respective clearing tumbler, and setting members mounted on said carrier between the rails thereof and on opposite sides of said post and movable toward and from said tumblers and having a connection with said restoring member for causing said members to move in opposite directions and having a clearing cam adanted to engage the respective clearing tumbler for shifting said membet-s into a normal position.

In testimony whereof I hereby aflix my signature.

WVI'LLIAM A. ECKERT. 

